For my wife's eyes only:
Weird lay low by day and roamed at night; humans rested at night and went about by day. Such was the way of heaven, and nothing could be done about it.
These past few days, sharing love with you within the Underground Palace truly brought peace to my heart and mind.
Yet whenever I thought of my companions outside, whose fortunes could change overnight, I could never stop worrying about them.
Thus, after much deliberation, I secretly left for a little while.
Please do not blame your husband for being heartless. Had I told you in person, you surely would not have agreed.
Set your heart at ease. Once I have spent some time out in the world, I will return to visit you.
Written by your husband, Luo Fan.
The letter was not long, only a little over a hundred Chinese characters. Both explicitly and between the lines, it conveyed that he was simply going away for a while and would return.
This was a fallback Luo Fan had prepared long ago.
If the Weird Bride discovered him escaping, he would produce this letter, and perhaps it could save his life.
Now, even though he had successfully escaped, Luo Fan still left the letter behind to offer the Weird Bride some comfort, lest the shock be too much for her.
The Weird Bride returned to the Underground Palace. Xiaodie and all the Weird serving as household guards had gathered before her.
"The young master ran away. Once night falls, shall we find a way to catch him and bring him back?" Xiaodie asked the Weird Bride.
"No, he just felt cooped up and went out for a stroll. He'll be back." Holding the letter Luo Fan had left-or, more precisely, his letter home-the Weird